Inflatable warning device for roadways

ABSTRACT

An elongated inflatable warning device adapted to be removably disposed transversely of a roadway during selected periods for control of vehicular traffic.

United States Patent 91 Elkins 1March 13, 1973 INFLATABLE WARNING DEVICE FOR ROADWAYS [76] Inventor: Jack D. Elkins, Route 2, Kingston,

Tenn. 37763 22 Filed: March 29,1971

21 Appl.No.: 129,051

[52] US. Cl. ..116/63 P, 40/125 N, 52/2 [51] Int. Cl. ..EOII 9/10 [58] Field of Search ..116/28, 63, 63 P, 114; 52/2;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,762,327 9/1956 Weig ..116/63 P 2,800,099 7/1957 Baker ..116/63 P 2,808,803 10/1957 Weig ..116/63 P 2,874,826 2/1959 Matthews et a1. ..5/348 2,991,699 7/1961 Murray, Sr ..116/63 P 3,389,677 6/1968 Dunne ..116/114 R 3,511,039 5/1970 Gould et al ..5/348 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 834,965 3/1952 Germany .116/63 Primary Examiner-L0uis .l Ca pozi AttorneyFitch, Even, Tabin & Luedeka [57] ABSTRACT An elongated inflatable warning device adapted to be removably disposed transversely of a roadway during selected periods for control of vehicular traffic.

8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEUHAR 1 3 ma SHEET 1 [1F 2 INVENTOR.

Jack D. Elkins flaw ATTORNEYS.

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PATENTEDHARHIQYS 3 720,1 1 SHEEI ear 2 ZZZ/[0U INVENTOR.

Jack D. Elkins f u 5, [a 4 Lida,

ATTORNEYS.

INFLATABLE WARNING DEVICE FOR ROADWAYS This invention relates to roadway markers, particularly to removable devices adapted to be temporarily positioned across a roadway for affording a warning to vehicles of an impending dangerous condition.

Partly due to their frequency of occurrence and commonplace status, warning signals on roadways which foretell of an impending dangerous condition go largely ignored by a significant segment of the driving. public. For example, such warnings as a painted School Zone on a roadway are too frequently ignored.

Rigid fixed obstructions extending transversely of a roadway have been employed heretofore as speed breakers. Insofar as is known to applicant, these prior art structures are designed as permanent installations and thus are limited to use on roadways where there is a need or desire to keep the traffic moving at a slow pace at all times. These rigid prior structures are also notorious for their destructive effects upon vehicles and the danger of a driver losing control of his vehicle when striking or crossing the structure.

It is an object of this invention to provide a warning device adapted to be temporarily positioned across a roadway and which will neither adversely affect a vehicle passing thereover nor the drivers control over a vehicle. It is a further object to provide a warning device of the type described which creates an illusion of an obstruction across the roadway such that a driver dangerous traffic condition. Preferably the base member of thewarning device is of sufficient thickness as will impart a slight, but perceptible, bump to a vehicle passing over the device thereby providing additional warning. The overall structure of the device, particularly the resiliency of the inflated bag, permits a vehicle to safely pass thereover without adverse effects upon the drivers control or upon the vehicle itself even though the vehicle is travelling at a relatively high speed. In accordance with another feature of the invention, the inflated warning device includes an exposed surface which displays a colored warning signal to an approaching driver thereby contributing to and emphasizing the illusory effect. Still further warning in another embodiment is provided by incorporating an air-pressure activated signal into the inflatable bag so as to provide an audible warning as the wheels of a vehicle pass over the device.

With reference to the Figures, the inflatable warning device 10 preferably comprises a generally planar base 12 which is constructed of a tough, abrasion resistant, but flexible, material such as a synthetic resin or fibrous mat. Such materials as nylon, polyethylene, and rubber have been found suitable in fabricating the base 12.

Desirably, the base 12 is of sufficient thickness as will impart sufficient rigidity to the warning device as will cause it to lay flat on a roadway but be flexible enough of a vehicle approaching the device is caused to take notice of an impending dangerous traffic condition, but which is ofa character suitable to permit avehicle to safely pass thereover.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a warning device of the type described wherein the device may be removably secured in position across a roadway during a period of time when an impending dangerous condition exists and which may be readily removed from across the roadway when the impending dangerous condition has been removed.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be recognized from the following description including the drawings in which: I

FIG. 1 is a representation of a warning device including various features of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the warning device of FIG. 1; I

FIG. 3' is a sectionalview of a further embodiment of the warning device;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the warning device of FIG. 1 in rolled position;

FIG. 5 is a representation of a warning device disposed across all the traffic lanes of a roadway; and

FIG. 6 is a representation of a warning device disposed across less than all of the traffic lanes of a roadway.

Stated generally, the warning device of this invention comprises a relatively stiff, but flexible, planar base member adapted to be disposed on the surface of a roadway transversely thereof and having a flexible inflatable bag on the upper side thereof. When inflated, the flexible bag extends sufficiently above the surface of the roadway as will create an illusion of an obstruction across the roadway and cause the driver of an approaching vehicle to take special note of an impending toallow the device to be formed into a roll for storage when not in use. A base formed of rubber of about /4 inch thickness serves suitably in that it is sufficiently flexible as desired and also resists abrasion and penetration by foreign objects which might puncture the inflatable bag.

The transverse rigidity of the base 12 is of particular importance in that it desirably retains a planar geometry when the bag element of the device is inflated as will be discussed hereinafter. In accordance with one embodiment, the base 12 is reinforced in its transverse dimension as by incorporating a plurality of spacedapart elongated slats or ribs 16 therein. Preferably the slats 16 comprise thin strips of metal disposed transversely of the base and embedded in the base. Altematively, the slats are secured on one or both of the outer surfaces of the base. As thus reinforced, the base is readily formed into a roll (see FIG. 4) by commencing at one end of the elongateddevice and rolling it in its longitudinal direction. The transverse slats 16 do not interfere with such rolling but due to their position transverse of the base, the slats impart transverse rigidity to the base and aid in maintaining it flat on the roadway.

The bottom I4 of the base 12 preferably presents a roughened surface so that when the warning device is positioned on a roadway such as the asphalt or concrete surface of a street or highway, there is a reduced tendency of the device to slip out of position when run over by the wheels of an automobile or similar vehicle which is traveling on the roadway. Various kinds of surfaces on the bottom 14 of the base 12 provide the desired frictional contact between the warning device and the roadway. Elongated protrusions or a roughened surface increase the ability of the warning device to remain stationary when run over by a vehicle. One particularly suitable bottom surface 14 of the base 12 is provided by forming a plurality of adjacent ribs 20 extending generally parallelly one to the other and to the longitudinal dimension of the warning device along substantially the entire length of the base thereof. The parallel longitudinally extending ribs provide lines of frictional engagement between the base 12 and a supporting roadway surface so that when a vehicle passes over the device 10, the device does not move out of its assigned position.

As illustrated, the base 12 is provided on its upper surface 24 with a collapsible bag 26. As best seen in FIG. 2, the illustrated bag 26 is secured to the upper surface 24 of the base member 12 as by suitable adhesive thereby making the production of the illustrated warning device relatively simple and inexpensive. Relatively thin-walled rubber tubing, cut to length and sealed at its ends provides a suitable bag 26 and is readily bonded to many different base materials employing well-known adhesives. Alternatively, the bag 26 is integrally formed with the base 12, and the base and bag are produced simultaneously as by extruding these members as a single unit from a material such as rubber or synthetic resin. A device fabricated in accordance with this latter technique is illustrated in cross-section in FIG. 3. However, by making the bag 26 as a unit separate from the base 12, greater latitude in the choice of materials for each of these members is obtainable.

In one of the ends of the bag 26 there is provided valve means 28 adapted to be connected to means for inflating the bag, such as the exhaust end 30 of a hose 32 joined to a hand pump 34. Other pump means such as the common foot pump employed to inflate air mattresses and the like also provide suitable means for inflating the bag 26. Upon actuation of the hand pump 34, air is pumped through the valve means 28 into the bag 26 to inflate the same. As noted, the preferred bag 26 is of wall thickness less than the thickness of the base 12 and/or the base 12 is reinforced as by slats, hence possesses less flexural rigidity than the base 12, particularly in the transverse direction. By reason of the different flexural rigidities of the base member 12 and the bag 26, as the bag 26 is inflated by the increasing air pressure therein, the base member 12 remains substantially in its planar geometry while the more flexible bag 26 expands to form a generally arcuate upper surface on the warning device. When the bag is inflated, the exhaust end 30 of the hose is removed from valve means 28 and the valve is closed as by means of a suitable cap (not shown) threadably secured on valve means 28 to prevent escape of the air from within the bag 26 while the device is in use.

When the warning device has served its purpose and is ready for removal from the roadway, the cap is removed from the valve means 28 and the air within the bag escapes through the valve means. Thereupon the entire device can be formed into a roll (see FIG. 4) for ready transport and storage.

In use, the warning device is disposed transversely of a roadway 36 with the bottom surface 14 of the base 12 in contact with the roadway. In the illustrated device, the base 12 is provided at either of its ends and on opposite side margins thereof with one or more elongated straps 38 having one of their ends 40 securely fastened to the base 12 and extending therefrom to serve as a tie down for the warning device. The unattached ends 42 of the illustrated straps 38 are provided with openings 44 through which a peg 37 or the like may be driven. When the warning device is in position on the roadway, the straps 38 are pulled taut and a peg is driven through each of the openings 44 in the ends 42 of the straps and into the earth at opposite curbs 41 and 43 of the roadway to assist in maintaining the warning device in its position transversely of the roadway. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the disclosed device is disposed across all the traffic lanes of a roadway. Alternatively, the device is of a length sufficient to cause it to extend across a single traffic lane. In the latter instance, the straps 38 on one end of the base 12 are lengthened sufficiently to extend across the roadway to the opposite curb 41 as illustrated in FIG. 6 and be secured to tie the warning device in the desired position.

In one suitable warning device, the base member 12 is fabricated of rubber which is 12 inches wide, onefourth inch, and 8 feet long. A flexible tubular rubber bag 26 of H32 inch wall-thickness is secured to the top surface 24 of the base employing conventional rubber cement. When inflated, the bag 26 assumes a generally convex geometry and extends above the roadway level to a vertical height of about 5 inches. When positioned across a roadway and viewed by the driver of an oncoming vehicle, the inflated device presents the appearance of a substantial obstruction in the roadway thereby causing the driver to take precautions such as reducing the speed of his vehicle and keeping a more alert lookout.

As noted, when the warning device is secured across a roadway and the bag 26 is inflated, the bag presents an exposed surface 46 directly in view of the driver of an approaching vehicle. In accordance with one feature of the invention, this readily viewable exposed surface is provided with a colored warning such as the wellknown black stripes 48 on a yellow background. For economy of manufacture, the bag 26 may be formed of a yellow material and the black stripes 48 painted thereon during a subsequent manufacturing operation. The brightly colored exposed surface 46 of the inflated bag attracts the drivers attention if he is maintaining an appropriate lookout for impending road conditions.

In the event the driver fails to be attentive to the presence of the present device in the roadway and passes thereover, the wheels of his vehicle contact the inflated bag 26 which yields under the weight of the wheels of the vehicle thereby allowing the vehicle to passsafely thereover without damage to the vehicle and without causing the driver to lose control over the vehicle. The thickness of the base (plus the thickness(es) of the bag wall) impartsa slight bump effect to the vehicle thereby arousing the driver and causing him to take note of the existing roadway condition. This bump effect is repeated when the rear wheels of the vehicle pass over the warning device, thus emphasizing the warning to the driver.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, a pressure-sensitive audible signaling device 50 is provided in one end 52 of the inflatable bag 26. In the course of the passage of vehicle wheels over the bag when it is in its inflated state, the pressure of the air within the bag is increased due to compression of the bag by the vehicle wheels. This increased pressure exceeds the preselected pressure required to actuate the signal device 50 and air escapes the bag through the signaling device 50, actuating the device and generating a signal which may be heard by the operator of the vehicle. The duration of the signal generated by the device is momentary by reason of the fact that the vehicle wheels pass over the inflated bag in a very brief span of time and the actuation pressure for the signal device 50 is exceeded only for a like brief period of time. Consequently, the signal is sudden and of a kind which will attract the attention of the operator. This audible signal, therefore, serves to provide additional warning to the driver of an impending dangerous traffic condition.

The disclosed warning device is readily positioned across a roadway during those periods when unusual traffic conditions exist. Similarly, the warning device is readily removed when the dangerous trafflc condition has passed and may be rolled into a compact unit for transporting and storage purposes. As may be seen in FIG. 5, one or more of the straps 38 may be employed to tie the rolled warning device thereby securing it against unrolling while in storage or transport. The warning device is particularly useful for providing warning on roadways where the traffic desirably travels at a relatively fast speed during periods of normal traffic conditions but where a dangerous, but temporary, traffic condition exists. For example, road repair crews can keep several of the disclosed warning devices rolled into compact rolls and stored in their trucks for immediate placement across a roadway to alert traffic to the presence of the repair crew. In this connection, the words ROAD REPAIR CREW painted on the exposed surface of the inflated bag are appropriate. Similarly, the disclosed warning device is of sufficiently light weight as permits it to be carried and placed in position across a roadway by a small child such as a school Safety Patrolman. Because of the ease with which the warning device can be put in place and subsequently removed, it is particularly suited for use at or near school crossings during only the times when children are present.

While several embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure, but, rather, it is intended to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A warning device adapted to be disposed generally transversely of a roadway for indicating a traffic condition comprising an elongated flexible planar base means including a bottom surface adapted to frictionally engage said roadway, inflatable means on the upper surface of said base member and including a wall portion which is proportioned to extend above and along the length of said base means when said means is inflated to provide a depressible projection above the surface of said roadway in the path of vehicular traffic on said roadway and to provide a surface exposed to the view of an operator of an oncoming vehicle and creating an illusory obstruction to vehicular traffic, thereby alerting the vehicle operator to unusual attention to the traffic condition, said wall portion having a flexural rigidity less than the flexural rigidity of said base means and being adapted to lie in proximity to said base means when said ipflatable means is deflated, whereby said warning device may be reduced to a geometry other than elongated for storage but said more rigid base supports said inflatable means in position on said roadway.

2. The warning device of claim 1 and including means adapted to aid in securing said warning device in position on said roadway.

3. The warning device of claim 2 wherein said means securing said warning device in position on said roadway comprises at least two elongated straps secured at one of their respective ends to each of the opposite ends of said base means and adapted to be secured at their respective unattached ends at points spaced from each other and from said base means.

4. The warning device of claim 1 and including audible signal means in said inflatable bag means whereby the passage of vehicular traffic over said warning device forces air through said audible signal means and produces an audible signal.

5. The warning device of claim 1 wherein said exposed surface of said inflated bag includes warning indicia thereon.

6. The warning device of claim 1 wherein said inflatable bag is formed independently of said base means and thereafter bonded thereto by adhesive means.

7. The warning device of claim 1 and including means reinforcing said base member at least in its transverse direction.

8. The warning device of claim 7 wherein said reinforcing means comprises a plurality of elongated slats disposed transversely of said base member. 

1. A warning device adapted to be disposed generally transversely of a roadway for indicating a traffic condition comprising an elongated flexible planar base means including a bottom surface adapted to frictionally engage said roadway, inflatable means on the upper surface of said base member and including a wall portion which is proportioned to extend above and along the length of said base means when said means is inflated to provide a depressible projection above the surface of said roadway in the path of vehicular traffic on said roadway and to provide a surface exposed to the view of an operator of an oncoming vehicle and creating an illusory obstruction to vehicular traffic, thereby alerting the vehicle operator to unusual attention to the traffic condition, said wall portion having a flexural rigidity less than the flexural rigidity of said base means and being adapted to lie in proximity to said base means when said inflatable means is deflated, whereby said warning device may be reduced to a geometry other than elongated for storage but said more rigid base supports said inflatable means in position on said roadway.
 1. A warning device adapted to be disposed generally transversely of a roadway for indicating a traffic condition comprising an elongated flexible planar base means including a bottom surface adapted to frictionally engage said roadway, inflatable means on the upper surface of said base member and including a wall portion which is proportioned to extend above and along the length of said base means when said means is inflated to provide a depressible projection above the surface of said roadway in the path of vehicular traffic on said roadway and to provide a surface exposed to the view of an operator of an oncoming vehicle and creating an illusory obstruction to vehicular traffic, thereby alerting the vehicle operator to unusual attention to the traffic condition, said wall portion having a flexural rigidity less than the flexural rigidity of said base means and being adapted to lie in proximity to said base means when said inflatable means is deflated, whereby said warning device may be reduced to a geometry other than elongated for storage but said more rigid base supports said inflatable means in position on said roadway.
 2. The warning device of claim 1 and including means adapted to aid in securing said warning device in position on said roadway.
 3. The warning device of claim 2 wherein said means securing said warning device in position on said roadway comprises at least two elongated straps secured at one of their respective ends to each of the opposite ends of said base means and adapted to be secured at their respective unattached ends at points spaced from each other and from said base means.
 4. The warning device of claim 1 and including audible signal means in said inflatable bag means whereby the passage of vehicular traffic over said warning device forces air through said audible signal means and produces an audible signal.
 5. The warning device of claim 1 wherein said exposed surface of said inflated bag includes warning indicia thereon.
 6. The warning device of claim 1 wherein said inflatable bag is formed independently of said base means and thereafter bonded thereto by adhesive means.
 7. The warning device of claim 1 and including means reinforcing said base member at least in its transverse direction. 